Closure cushioning and sealing means



Oct. 4, 1938.A J. s. REID CLOSURE CUSHIONING AND SEALING MEANS 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 16, 19,56

Fla-11 Oct. 4, 1938. J. s. REID 2,132,272

CLOSURE CUSHIONING AND SEALING MEANS l Filed Jan. 16, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 fm/W1 INVENTOR JAMES S. REID BY f Me' M' Patented' on. 4,193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE CUSHIONING AND SEALING MEANSOhio Application January 16, 1936, Serial No. 59,366

16 Claims.

This invention relates to cushioning and sealing means and moreparticularly, to an improved strip for use about an opening for anenclosed space for cushioning and sealing a closure for 5 said opening.

. My improved cushioning and sealing means is adapted for cooperationwith a closure, such as a door or window, and a frame structure aboutthe opening to be closed by such closure for cushionl ing such closureand for sealing `such opening.

Such cushioning and sealing means may be utilized in connection with asliding closure member or with a hinged closure member and for purposesof illustration, I have shown the same as applied to the door of aclosed automobile body.

One object of my invention is to provide improved cushioning 'andsealing means between a closure and the frame structure about theopening to be closed.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved cushioning andsealing strip for yieldingly engaging and effectively cushioning aclosure member when it is in position to close an opening. A I 25Another object of my invention ls to provide an improved cushioning andsealing strip of flexible character adapted to be bent around the edgesof an opening so as to form a continuous member thereabout.

30 Other novel features of my invention include the provision ofcushioning and sealing means having an improved base strip provided withsuitable cushioning and sealing material, and improved means forfinishing olf and rendering the and other special features ofconstruction which will be more fully described in the accompanyingspecification and the essential features of which will be set forth inthe claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a representation of an automobile sedan bodyillustrating one possible use of my improved cushioning and sealingmeans; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of cushioning andsealing strip; Fig. 3 is a partial sectional' view of a portion of anautomobile body illustrating one manner of using the strip of Fig. 2;Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are views of the base member used in forming the stripshown in Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 6 being a section taken along the line 6-6of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a modified form of cushioning and sealing meansand mounted in a slightly different manner than the strip of Fig. 3;Fig. B is a perspective view of a cushioning and sealing strip modifiedover the showing of Fig. 7 55 as to the manner of nishing the same; Fig.9 is cushioning and sealing means more attractive,'

another modification of the cushioning and sealing strip; and Figs. l0and l1 illustrate another form of base member for a cushioning andseal.- ing strip.

Many useful applications of the improved cushioning and sealing meansshown herein will occur to those skilled in the art to which it relatesbut for purposes of illustration, I have shown theJ same as utilized incushioning and sealing they doors of an automobile sedan body. For this10 purpose, the cushioning and sealing means will extend about theopenings in the door frame, this general location being indicated by theheavy lines A in Fig. 1. For fitting the cushioning and sealing means ina continuous manner about such openings, I provide a flexible stripwhich may be formed in continuous lengths and bent and fitted about thedoor openings. This permits the fitting of the cushioning and sealingstrip about the corners of the door openings and about -such curvedportions of the openings as may occur at the points B, Fig. l.

One manner of forming a flexible strip suitable for the present purposeis illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 where a flat strip member I5 isprovided 25 having continuous side edge portions I6, there beingtransverse slots Il extending across the strip between the side edgeportions. In the form shown, the strip has side edge portions which areformed as beads through which run reenforcing wires I8 and although thisis a preferred form of construction, other forms are suitable. Also,although the transverse slots I'I shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are ofherringbone formation arranged in a continuous series along the strip,other forms of transverse-slots are suitable. For instance, the

' slots might extend directly across the strip, normally to the edgeportions I6 thereof or the slots might extend diagonally across thestrip from side to side, as shown in Figs. l0 and 11. The desired 40end` is achieved if the strip when formed in any of the manners hereindisclosed is sufciently flexible to enable it to be bent around theedges of the door openings to be provided with the cushioning andsealing means.

The strip member I5 is folded upon itself along a longitudinallyextending line, as for instance along its center line, as shown in Figs.4, 5 and 6, giving a portion of double thickness I9 which constitutesthe strip securing means. Beyond this portion of double thickness areoutwardly flaring portions 20 which, injthe form shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5,6, 7 and 8, are bent first outwardly and then curve about to the freeedges where they are bent inwardly toward each other thus forming anopen sided channel section. However, the flaring portions obviously maybe formed in other shapes, as for instance, that shown in Fig. 9 wherethe outwardly flaring portions 2I form a substantially Y-form section. g

The strip member I5 when bent to suitable form as above described formsa base member for carrying the cushioning and sealing material. It willbe obvious that various types of cushioning and sealing material may besecured to the base member but the preferred form here illustratedcomprises a heavy woven textile fabric which at a certain place has arelatively soft cushion surface, such as a 'long pile surface which actsas a cushion and seal, preventingrattling and at the same time excludinginclement weather and cold air. As shown in the various views, I preferto mount the woven fabric upon the base member so as to provide thecushioning and sealing pile surface only at that point along the wovenfabric which'constitutes the line of contact between the body frame andthe closure member when the closure member is moved into closingposition.

In the forms shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 9, the

Iwoven fabric extends across the space between the free edges of theflaring portions of the bent strip member, as at the point 22, thenalong the outwardly facing surfaces of the aring portions of the stripmember, as shown at 23, and may also extend along the outer faces of theportion of double thickness, as at the points 24. This fabric isprovided with a pile surface 25 which extends along one of the outwardlyfiaring portions of the strip in a manner to engage a closure member, aswill be more fully described later. The woven fabric is secured to thestrip member I5 in any suitable manner, one arrangement being thecementing of the fabric to the base member.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated one manner of applying the cushioning andsealing means in the problem'presented bythe automobile sedan body dooras set forth above. The drawings show a fixed portion of the body 26 anda portion of a door 21 with the strip placed in proper position tocushion and seal the closure member in the position shown. While thecushioning and sealing` strip might be applied to the movable closuremember so as to engage against the body portion surrounding the openingto be closed, I prefer to mount the strip upon` the body portion asshown in Fig. 3 and this is readl ily accomplished by a fastening member28 passing through the portion of double thickness I9, there beingsuitable securing strips 29 engaging on opposite sides of the portion I9of the strip and where the woven fabric extends along the faces of theportion I9, as shown at 24, these fabric portions are also secured withthe portion I9 by the same securing means. In this position, the pilesurface 25 is held so that it is engaged by the door 21 moving to closedposition and cushions and seals the contact of the door with the fixedbody portion in a very edicient manner.

The strip member I5 is preferably formed of metal having springcharacteristics and it will be obvious that a strip formed as heretoforedescribed and positioned as shown in Fig. 3 will give a resiliencybetween the parts when in abutting relation with the door closed asillustrated in Fig. 3. That is to say, the outwardly flaring portions ofthe cushioning and sealing strip resiliently hold the pile surface 25 ofthe woven fabric in position against the door so that there is providednot only the cushioning and sealing effect of the pile surface but alsothe resilient effect of the spring metal.

In tbe modification shown in Fig. 7, the woven fabric is in two piecesI0, each piece extending along the outer faces of the portions I9 and 20of the metal strip member and being folded over the beaded edge I6thereof. Here again the woven fabric is provided with a pile surface 3|at the point where it engages the door. In this form, the cushioning andsealing strip is secured to the automobile body portion 26' in aposition turned 90 from that shown in Fig. 3. This brings the pilesurface 3| into contact with the inner edge of the door 21' in aslightly different manner from that shown in Fig. 3 and illustratesanother manner in which the present improved cushioning and sealingmeans may be used.

Where it is desired to provide an additional finishing effect to thecushioning and sealing means. finishing beads 32 may be utilized asshown in Fig. 7, such finishing beads being preferably strips of metalas for instance, stainless steel or chromiumv plated material or thelike. which may be formed as hollow beads snapped in position over thebeads I6 and. also covering that portion of the woven fabric which isfolded over said beads. 'I'hese finishing beads, in addition toimproving the appearance of the cushioning and sealing strip, also formaddi--V tional securing means for the woven fabric.

Another form of finishing bead is shown in Fig. 8 wherein a bead member23 of ornamental appearance is placed between the free edges of thecushioning and sealing strip, said bead member having portions 34adapted to engage within and behind the beaded edges of the cushioningand sealing strip in a manner to secure the finishing bead member 33 inposition.

Although it is not illustrated, it is obvious that the present improvedcushioning and sealing strip in any one of the forms shown might beutilized to engage a vsliding closure member as the strip is easilysecured to a fixed frame portion so that the resiliency of the outwardlyilaring portions of the strip and the cushioning effect of the pilefabric thereof may be applied against a closure member in slidingcontact with the pile fabric. Other modifications will also suggestthemselves to those skilled in this particular art.

What I claim is:

1. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a transversely slottedstrip member longitudinally folded upon itself intermediate its sideedges to form an anchoring part of double thickness,

- the side edge portions of said strip member flaring outwardly fromsaid anchoring part, and yieldable means carried by at least one of saidoutwardly flaring portions for cushioning and sealing purposes.

2.l A cushioning and sealing strip as in claim 1 and including afinishing bead extending along the free side edge of at least one ofsaid outwardly flaring portions.

3. A cushioning and sealing strip as in claim 1 and including afinishing bead held between the free side edges of said outwardlyflaring portions.

.andere part indiverging and then converging relationship. y

5. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a transversely slottedresilient metal strip member longitudinally folded upon itselfintermediate its side edges to form an anchoring part of doublethickness, the side edge portions of said strip member ilaring outwardlyfrom such anchoring part, yieldable means extending along the outersurface of one of said flaring portions and being bent around the'freeside edge thereof, and a finishing bead extending along and over suchfree edge of said last mentioned :daring portion.

d. .d cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a transversely slottedstrip member longitudinally folded upon itself intermediate its sideedges to form an anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgeportions of said strip member extending from said anchoring part indii/erging and then converging relationship, yieldable means extendingalong the outer-surface of one of such. side edge portions, and afinishing member arranged between the free side `edges of said divergingand converging side edge portions. l

'1. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having a portion intermediate its side edges transversely slottedand such portion being longitudinally folded upon itself to form atransversely slotted anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgeportions of said strip member aring outwardly from said anchoring part,and yieldable means carried by one of said outwardly flaring portionsfor cushioning and sealing purposes.

8. A cushioningand sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having a portion intermediate its side edges transversely slottedand such portion being longitudinally folded upon itself to form atransversely slotted anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgeportions of said strip member extending from such anchoring part indiverging and then converging relationship.

9. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having a portion intermediate its side edges transversely slottedand suchv portion being longitudinally folded upon itself toA form atransversely slotted anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgeportions of said' strip member extending from said anchoring part indiverging and then converging relationship, and a metal finishing beadclamped between the free side edges of such side edge portions.

10. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having a portion intermediate its side edges transversely slottedand such portion being longitudinally folded upon itself to form atransversely slotted anchoring part of double thickness, said stripmember having one of its side edge portions extending angularly fromsaid anchoring part, and yieldable means carried by such angularlyextending side edge portion for cushioning and sealing purposes.

11. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient strip memberlongitudinally folded outwardly from said anchoring part and the free'side edges of such side edge portions being in spaced relationship,exible means associated with said side edge portions and extendingacross the space between the free side edges thereof, and a pile surfacealong the outer surface of one of such side edge portions for cushioningand sealing purposes.

t i2. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient stripmember longitudinally folded upon itself intermediate its side edges toform an anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgel portions ofsaid strip member extending outwardly from said anchoring part and thefree side edges of such side edge portions being in spaced relationship,fabric means associated with said side edge portions and extendingacross the space between the free side edges thereof, anda pile surfacefor cushioning and sealing purposes onthat portion of said i'abric meanswhich is disposed along the outer surface of one of such side edgeportions.

' 13. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a strip memberlongitudinally folded upon itself intermediate its side edges to form ananchoring part of .double thickness, the side edge portions of saidstrip member extending from said anchoring part in dlverging and thenconverging relationship, yieldable means along the outer surface of oneof such side edge portions, and a iinishing member arranged between thefree side edges of said side edge portions.

14. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having a portion intermediate its side edges diagonally slottedand such portion being longitudinally folded upon itself to form aslotted anchoring part of double thickness, the side edge portions ofsuch. strip member daring outwardly from such anchoring portion, andyieldablem'eans carried by one of such flaring side edge portions forcushioning and sealing purposes.

15. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember having intermediate its side edges a portion provided with slotsof herringbone Aform and such portion being longitudinally folded uponitself to form a slotted anchoring part of double thickness, the sideedge portions oi.' such strip member iiaring outwardly from suchanchoring portion, and yleldable means carried by one of such flaringside edge portions for cushioning and sealing purposes.

16. A cushioning and sealing strip, comprising a resilient metal stripmember longitudinally folded upon itself intermediate its side edges to-form a generally'ilat anchoring part of double thickness, the side edgeportions f said strip member extending in spaced relationship from saidanchoring part, the free side edges of such side edge portions being ofbeaded form, and yieldable means on the outer surface of one of saidside edge portions for cushioning and sealing purposes.

JAMES S. REID.

